After following Clair into Dragon Village, Roy kept pace with her while looking around. This place was practically an otherworldly secluded paradise, still preserving the traditions of an ancient village.
Buildings dating back hundreds of years still stood here, along with temples and ancestral halls... They gave the whole of Dragon Village a solemn air.
Several villagers passed Roy, all dressed in old-fashioned clothing, cloaks, and robes.
Compared to the people Roy had seen in Blackthorn City, they looked as though they belonged to different centuries.
Several villagers eyed Roy warily when they saw him, and a few Dragon Tamers directed their Pokémon to land from above.
But once both groups noticed Clair beside Roy, they stopped paying him any mind. Those heading home went home, and those on patrol continued their rounds.
Seeing that Clair intended to lead him farther in, Roy asked:
"Miss Clair, what exactly is the Blackthorn Gym's trial?"
"Let me first...
"Clair, another challenger is here."
Before Clair could explain things to Roy, a Gym apprentice hurried over, panting, and announced that another trainer with a prior appointment had arrived for a challenge.
The trainer wanted to challenge the acting Gym Leader, Clair.
Clair could only turn to Roy and say:
"Wait here. I'll come back for you after I finish battling the challenger. Just enjoy the scenery, and don't go wandering off on your own."
With that, Clair headed back toward the Gym with the apprentice.
Left behind, Roy could only marvel at how casual Clair was about leaving him alone deep inside Dragon Village. A stately ancestral hall stood right in front of him.
Roy could just make out a dragon-shaped sculpture on the hall, but without Clair's permission, he did not enter.
While he waited, Dragapult's Poké Ball shook at Roy's waist,